ARTHUR
7

Whether the city would give me a job, as a mere copyist, profitable enough, was the point where I had no means of information.

My determination was due to the behavior of my new mother. My guess about the path he will take with respect to me is not wrong. My father's behavior, in a short period of time, became arrogant and violent. The directives were given with a magisterial tone and any omission in carrying out his orders was reprimanded with an attitude of authority. Eventually these rebukes were followed by certain cues that I was now mature enough to meet my own needs; that it was time to think of some work with which I could secure a livelihood; that it was shameful for me to spend my youth in laziness; that what he has obtained is by his own efforts; and I must owe for my life to the same source.

These instructions are easy to understand. At first, they stirred up anger and sadness. I knew the source from which they had appeared and was only able to suppress the expression of my feelings before him. My appearance, however, was very significant and I became more unsupportive every hour. Abstracted from these considerations, my father's reprimand was not without burden. He gave me an existence, but sustenance must definitely be my own gift. In the use of what he had owed for his own efforts, he might reasonably consider his own options. He did not take control of me; he only did what he wanted with his own and was far from shackling my freedom, he urged me to use it to my own advantage and to make supplies for myself.

Now I contemplate that there are other manual jobs besides the plow. Among these none have less disadvantages than a carpenter or cabinet maker. I had no knowledge of this art; but there was no impenetrable custom or law or mystery, which required me to intern for seven years for it. A master in this trade might be able to be persuaded to accept me under his guidance; two or three years would be enough to give me the necessary skills. While my father, may agree to bear the cost of my treatment. No one can live with less than I am willing to do.

I retired from this conference with a resolution to follow the advice given. I saw that next I should be my own protector, and wondered at the folly that held me so long under his roof. Leaving it now became indispensable, and there was no reason to delay my departure for an hour. I was determined to turn my direction towards the city. The most important scheme in my mind is to train myself on some mechanical trading. I did not ignore the evils of the constraints and doubts about the master character that I had to choose. I was not without hope that an accident would suggest a different way, and allow me to earn a living directly without losing my freedom.

I decided to start my journey the next morning. No wonder the prospect of such a huge change in my condition had to render me unable to sleep. I spent the night contemplating the future, and painting as I wished the adventures I would most likely encounter. The foresight of man is comparable to his knowledge. No wonder that, in my deep state of ignorance, no vague prejudices should be formed about the events that actually befall me. My emotions were curious, but there was no scene I was aiming for from which my curiosity was expected to gain satisfaction. Disputes and unpleasant odors, bad food, bad work, and annoying friends, in my opinion, are unavoidable servants of the city.

My best clothes have the simplest texture and shape. My entire linen stock consists of three checkered shirts. Part of my winter night job, since my mother's death, consists of knitting my own stockings. Of these I have three pairs, one of which I wear, and the rest I shape, along with two shirts, into one bundle. Three quarter-dollar pieces make up my entire fortune in money.